1. Chapter 15: Societies & Empires in Africa
Throughout history different groups of Africans have found different ways to organize themselves to meet their political, economic, & social needs.
In the varied regions of Africa, climate & topography influenced how each community developed.

2. How did Geography & Climate influence development in Africa?
Great variety
Climate
Topography
Landforms

3. North & Central African Societies: Hunter-Gatherer
formed close-knit family groups
Oldest in world
Still around
Provide clues about ancient times

4. Hunter-Gatherer Societies
Semi-nomadic
Few possessions, distinctive hunting techniques

5. “Stateless” Societies
Power not centralized
Based on lineage groups not individual ruler
Family groups based on a common ancestor
Living members
Past generations
Future generations
Strong loyalty
balance authority among lineages of equal power
may be
patri-lineal
matri-lineal
Men usually hold positions of authority

6. Muslim States Islam spread across N. Africa- Rulers converted
Government based on Islamic Law (Sharia)
Muslim rulers relied on religious scholars as government advisors

7. Berbers Desert, mountain dwellers Indigenous to N. Africa
Accepted Islam
Maintained Berber Identity
Almoravids & Almohads found empires that united N. Africa (Maghrib)

8. Impact of Berber Rule Spread N. African culture Stability &order
Unity through Islamic teaching
North/South Trade flourished

9. West African Civilizations
While Berbers built empires in N. Africa, three powerful empire flourished in West Africa in the Sahel-the savanna region just south of the Sahara
Grew strong by controlling trade

10. Empire of Ghana Around 200 AD, trade across Sahara was infrequent
Berbers began to use camels
Travel great distance without water
Taxed trade-grew wealthy

11. Gold-Salt Trade
Arab & Berber traders crossed desert loaded w/salt, cloth, weapons, manufactured goods
African traders brought gold north
Merchants met in trade cities, exchanged goods, officials collected tax & ensured fair weights and provided protection from bandits

12. Land of Gold By 800, Ghana was an empire
King controlled trade, large army, demanded taxes and gifts from chiefs of surrounding lands.
King controlled supply of gold, kept price high
King was religious leader, judge, military commander
Head of government bureaucracy

13. Islamic Influences Islam spread through trade
Ghana’s rulers/elites converted to Islam
Common people kept traditional beliefs/practices
Islam spread literacy
Ghana lost power when Almoravids disrupted gold-salt trade

14. Empire of Mali By 1235 the kingdom of Mali had emerged.
Its founders were Mande-speaking people, who lived south of Ghana.
Mali’s wealth was also built on gold.

15. Sundiata Conquers an Empire
A powerful king named Sundiata ruled Mali from around AD. He became known as a mansa, or emperor.
He led the people in conquering and expanding his kingdom to be as great as Ghana had been.

16. Mansa Musa Expands Mali (1312-1337)
Greatest king of Mali
developed gold/salt trade-kingdom became very powerful & rich
Made hajj to Mecca-upon return built many mosques in Timbuktu
Attracted Muslim judges, doctors, religious leaders scholars

17. Ibn Battuta: 1352 Muslim legal scholar
Traveled throughout Muslim world -27 years
Wrote a journal
Praised the people of Mali for their study of Qur’an
Criticized lack of strict practice (women did not veil)
Within 50 years, gold trade shifted to new fields in East
Mali weakened

18. Empire of Songhai
As Mali declined, Songhai east built an army & extended territory-gained control of trade routes. Gao was the capital.

19. Songhai’s Powerful Leaders
Sunni Ali
Built a professional army
Askia Muhammad
Set up good government

21. Other Peoples of West Africa: Hausa
Hausa City-States

22. Other Peoples of West Africa: Yoruba

23. Other Peoples of West Africa: Benin

24. Eastern City-States & Southern Empires
In the 3rd century, Aksum traded extensively. From Red Sea it traded with Arabia, Persia, India & Rome
Muslims cut them off from their port so they moved their capital south
Other cities on East coast were thriving from Indian Ocean trade

25. East Coast Trade Cities

26. Kilwa

27. Portuguese Conquest

28. Islamic Influences

29. Enslavement of Africans

30. Southern Africa & Great Zimbabwe

31. Great Zimbabwe

32. Mutapa Empire